ChimpersCage

The long ball was in play several time for the CornBelters v the Crushers on Saturday night 7-26-2014, but in the end the 'belters needed to belt 3 more for the win.  Crushers 8, CornBelters 6 at the last out. Coverage from the 1st half of the season will be coming in the August edition of Best Look Magazine .  Expect it to be available on the 15th. 20140726 Lake Erie Crushers at Normal CornBelters baseball photos - Images by Alan Look  - Chimper -

Normally (no pun intended) natives and transplants alike in Bloomington Normal think that not much interesting at all happens here.  I'm in that group some of the time, but truth is I'm usually just not looking hard enough.  When I heard that IWU product John Worley made the top 20 on the NFL draft prospect list for linebackers I decided it was time to check out the whole list.  I usually do it every year, but had just been putting it off.  I was surprised when I found what seemed like a pretty long list.  Sifting through the list by university name of games I covered, I found only one or two of them that didn't have a name on the list.  I think the most was 9. So, who played in Bloomington - Normal that may get drafted?  I didn't keep the whole list, but you can see the 21 that I have images of in the slideshow below. 2015 NFL Draft Prospects photos - Images by Alan Look See ya on the sidelines!  - Chimper -

On Saturday afternoon of June 21st, the best of the graduated senior high school girls basketball players met up and divided up as the North and the South to play one last high school game.  Many of the girls have played with or against each other most of their lives, first on travel teams and then on to organized school sports.  The action isn't always polished as they don't get to practice much together, but the camaraderie and fun is always evident with all the smiles both on and off the court. Some of these ladies will go on with their sports careers in the collegiate arenas, others will just get on with life.  Best wishes to all of them no matter the path they take. This Saturday afternoon, the boys will arrive at the Shirk Center in Bloomington and take part in their game. Look for coverage in the August edition of Best Look Magazine. 2014 Girls IBCA All Stars (Illinois Basketball Coaches Association) photos - Images by Alan Look ...

Two years ago, the idea for Best Look Magazine was launched.  A Central Illinois, Bloomington Normal based sports and leisure magazine to feature local athletics, athletes, travel, and entertainment.  August 2012 saw the first issue published. The magazine has a motto of a photo for every story, a story for every photo. The magazine is a product of Alan Look Photography and featured stories and photos by Alan Look and John Power.  John has been on a hiatus for a few issues, but Alan carries on. This issue contains more text for the readers in our following, more great photos of Bloomington Normal and McLean County Sports, a Double Cover - a great image on both the front and the back, and a short editorial on the freelance sports photography business.  This issue continues the tradition of a photo feature of Referees, Umpires and other officials that has been a constant in all the previous issues. We thank all our followers, supporters, readers and especially o...

It wasn't cutting edge 25 years ago, but not a lot of communities had a facility quite like the one being built in Bloomington Normal.  Through joint cooperation between the two cities and a series of fortunate events, a trail was built that spanned the central area of both.  The right of way held by the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad was being vacated by the railway and the cities opted to buy it.  Adding some pavement, bridges and entry points, a trail was created for walkers, runners, bicyclers and rollerbladers.  The original trail has been expanded and is still expanding since that initial project was completed.  On Saturday May 10th, several past and present dignitaries, press, users and people happening by the Connie Link Amphitheater celebrated the 25th birthday for the trail. 25th Birthday Celebration of Constitution Trail in Bloomington Normal Illinois. - Images by Alan Look  - chimper -

The softball season for the Missouri Valley Conference wrapped up at Illinois State this season.  The hosting Redbirds played their last game on Friday May 9th, losing to the Loyola Ramblers.  It was the Ramblers 1st year in the Valley.  Regan Romshek, a terrific talent from Gibson City pitched the last game.  A short gallery of the game is linked below.  More Redbird images are available for viewing and licensing at Alan Look Photography and a summary article will appear in the August issue of Best Look Magazine . 20140509 Loyola at Illinois State softball - MVC Tournament - Images by Alan Look  - chimper -

Illinois Wesleyan Titans hosted a portion of the 1st round of the NCAA D3 Basketball Tournament. The action took place at IWU Field in Bloomington, starting on Friday May 9th and ending on Sunday May 11th. Anderson, Fontbonne, and Lake Forest were the other competitors in this part of the bracket. IWU beat Lake Forest 5-1 on Friday, shutout Anderson 14-0 in six innings on Saturday and repeated against Lake Forest again on Sunday beating them for the 2nd time 3-2 in a come from behind situation. Grabbing Tournament honors for the Titans were Hannah Bowen (Most Outstanding Player), Sara Rogers, Jenna Noland, Molly McCready, Kyley McKeown. From Fridays IWU v Lake Forest game: 20140509 Lake Forest at Illinois Wesleyan softball - NCAA tournament - Images by Alan Look